TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — The “Third Saturday In October” has been a storied rivalry between Alabama and Tennessee going back to 1901.
The last time the Crimson Tide traveled on the road to Tennessee, the Volunteers kicked a walk-off field goal to snap a 15-game win streak from Alabama.
The game catapulted the Volunteers to the top spot in the rankings and put a big hit on Alabama’s postseason odds.
This week, the stakes are almost just as high, if not, higher than the last time these two teams faced off in Knoxville.
With playoff implications on the line Saturday, both teams come into this week’s game limping after struggling the past two weeks.
For the Crimson Tide, it survived what would have been another massive upset as a 20-point favorite against South Carolina following its upset loss to Vanderbilt when Alabama was favored by 23.
Ahead 27-19 with under two minutes to go, South Carolina went right down the field and scored a touchdown with 43 seconds left to draw within two. A missed two-point conversion helped Alabama survive and move to 5-1 on the season.
The Alabama defense was questionable for the second week in a row, allowing South Carolina to convert five consecutive third downs in one possession to start the second half.
This week, Alabama’s defense will have to step it up to get a road win on Saturday. Tennessee quarterback Nico Iamaleava entered himself into the Heisman Trophy conversation after helping Tennessee score 50 or more in each of the team’s first three games.
While Tennessee’s offense has seemed to cool down from their hot start, Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer knows the threat Iamaleava poses to opposing defenses.
“I think he’s got a live arm, extremely talented,” DeBoer said. “You can tell that they’ve got the skill on the outside to where they can hit home runs and make big plays anytime.”
For Tennessee, the Volunteers have had a nearly identical previous two weeks as Alabama has had.
Following a 19-14 upset loss to Arkansas, Tennessee squeaked by longtime rival Florida 23-17 in overtime last week.
Trailing 10-0 late in the third quarter, Tennessee put together a comeback to tie the game at 17 before overtime. The Volunteers capped off their comeback with a rushing touchdown to win the game.
But do not let Tennessee’s lack of offensive production over the past two weeks take away from the fact that Tennessee’s defense is daunting.
The Volunteers rank second in the country in total defense, allowing under 250 yards per game and just four yards per play to opposing offense.
The matchup to look out for in Saturday’s game will be how the Alabama offense fairs against the Tennessee defense.
DeBoer knows how big the rivalry between Alabama and Tennessee is.
“I’ve been told it’s a big deal, and I know it’s a big deal. You see it from afar,” DeBoer said. “Guys are going to be very motivated to go out and do their best and prepare well and be great on Saturday.”
Alabama and Tennessee kickoff at 2:30 p.m. CT Saturday on ABC.
